Identity Map Teacher Guide Identity Map Journey
Lesson Plan • K-12 Discovery
Duration
60 min
Objective
Students will explore and understand their evolving identities by identifying personal strengths, values, and community connections, fostering self-awareness and belonging.
Approach
Guided reflection, creative mapping, and collaborative discussion.
Prep & Materials
• Review Who Am I Now Slide Deck (15 min prep)
• Print My Identity Map Journey Worksheet for all students
• Gather art supplies: colored pencils, crayons, magazines, glue
• Projector/Whiteboard setup
The Journey Path
1
Warm-Up: One Word Identity
5 min
Ask: "If you had to describe yourself in one word right now, what would it be?"
Students share with partners. Introduce the core question: Who are you now?
Slide 2
2
The Identity Puzzle
10 min
Define identity as the sum of values, interests, strengths, relationships, and community.
Engage: "What makes you, YOU? How do the people around you influence who you are?"
Slides 3–5
3
Guided Reflection
15 min
Distribute the My Identity Map Journey Worksheet .
Guide students through reflection on strengths, values, and community connections. Encourage deep thinking.
Slides 6–8
4
Identity Map Creation
20 min
Introduce the Identity Map Creation Activity . Students create a visual representation of themselves.
Emphasize there is no "right" way. Play calm background music while students draw, write, and collage.
Slides 9–10
5
Share & Reflect
10 min
Invite volunteers to share their maps or one discovery with the class or small groups.
Conclude: "What is one thing you appreciate about your unique identity?"
Slide 11
Teaching Tips
For younger students (K-2), focus more on drawings and verbal sharing.
Model vulnerability by sharing one of your own values or strengths first.
Who Am I Now Slides Who Am I Now?
The Identity Map Journey
!
Quick Discovery
If you had to describe yourself in ONE word right now, what would it be?
Turn and share your word with a partner!
Teacher Note: Set a positive tone. Explain that today is about exploring themselves.
What is Identity?
Your identity is who you are! It's made up of many different things:
Your unique qualities
Your beliefs and values
Your experiences
People and places around you
Identity is always growing and changing!
The Identity Puzzle
Strengths
What are you good at? What comes easily to you?
Values
What is most important to you?
Interests
What do you love to do? What makes you curious?
Community
Who are your people? Where do you belong?
My Identity Map Journey
It's time to explore your unique identity on paper!
Grab your worksheet and a pencil
Creating Your Map
01
The Center: Put your name or a picture of yourself in the middle.
02
The Branches: Add strengths, values, interests, and people. Use words, colors, or icons!
03
Be Unique: There is no "correct" map. Make it yours!
You
Example Layout
Share & Reflect
"What is one new thing you noticed about yourself?"
"How did this map help you understand yourself better?"
"What do you appreciate about your unique identity?"
My Identity Map Journey Worksheet My Identity Map Journey
Exploring the Landscape of Self
Name:
Date:
I
Part 1: Who Am I?
MY STRENGTHS (What are you good at? What comes naturally?)
Examples: Helping others, solving puzzles, being creative...
MY VALUES (What is most important to you? What do you believe in?)
MY INTERESTS (What do you love to do? What makes you curious?)
II
Part 2: My World
IMPORTANT PEOPLE (Who influences you or makes you feel supported?)
MY COMMUNITY & PLACES (Groups, clubs, or places where you feel you belong.)
III
Part 3: Looking Ahead
One word to describe who I want to be in the future:
Write your word here...
How do these things connect to make you, YOU?
"Everything you can imagine is real." – Pablo Picasso
Identity Map Activity Guide Identity Map Creation
Bringing Your Story to Life
It’s time to bring your identity to life! Using your reflection worksheet, you will now create a visual map of who you are. This isn't just a list—it's a landscape of you.
1
Claim Your Center
Every map has a starting point. In the middle of your paper, place your name , a drawing of yourself , or a symbol that represents you today.
Start here!
2
Draw the Branches of You
From your center, draw lines or pathways to different parts of your identity. Use your worksheet to fill these in:
Strengths
What you're great at
Values
What matters most
Interests
What you love to do
3
Map Your Connections
Identity isn't just inside you—it's also about where you fit in the world. Add elements that show:
Important People: Family, friends, teachers, mentors.
Community & Places: Sports teams, school, parks, neighborhoods.
4
Add Color and Style
Use colors, magazine cut-outs, or unique drawings to make it vibrant. There is no right or wrong way to make your map.
Creative Tip
Think about how things connect! Does your interest in sports connect to your value of teamwork? Draw a bridge between them.